Where is the security in Blair's changing world?
Blair tells EU to listen, but has he removed the voice of the vulnerable?

 

Green Party MEP for London, Jean Lambert, has said that she was staggered by UK Prime Minister Tony Blair's address to the European Parliament today, which demonstrated how far removed he is from those really in crisis.

 

Blair's speech, which was full of rhetoric about modernisation, flexibility and budget reform, tellingly received a lot of applause from many on the ideological right of the chamber. Jean Lambert said:

 

"It is very well to say that we must listen, and that social issues will not be ignored, but simply to talk about employment is not enough. The majority of people do not ask about how they can enhance their ability to compete. They want to know why the gender pay gap in the UK is one of the biggest in Europe, and why the percentage of those at risk of poverty in the UK is higher than the EU average."

 

"I want to see better representation for those without a voice. Blair should be offering protection to the one in four UK employees working over 48 hours per week – illegally – because they have not been given a choice on the matter. Instead he is pushing to keep the opt-out from the working time directive"

 

"Blair's social vision lacks a sense of security. His solutions – innovation and scientific advancement – are certainly important, even if there are limitations to what the EU can do in this sphere. But he seems to be saying that flexibility and enrolment on training courses are the simple ways for the unemployed to solve their own problems. He puts the onus on the individual and offers no security guarantee. No wonder the Conservatives applauded so loudly."

 

[ENDS]

 

Contact the office of Jean Lambert, email jelambert@europarl.eu.int, Tel: +32-2-2845507